Formerly | Macphun |
---|---|
Industry | Software development |
Genre | Photo editing |
Founded | 2008, Ukraine |
Headquarters | Bellevue, Washington |
Dmitry Sytnik (Co-founder, Managing Partner), Paul Muzok (Co-founder, Managing Partner), Alex Tsepko (Managing Partner), Ivan Kutanin (Managing partner), Oksana Milczarek (COO) | |
Number of employees | 150 |
Website | skylum.com |
- Skylum (formerly Macphun) is a software developing company based in Bellevue, Washington.It is most known for its photo editing software Aurora HDR and Luminar. Skylum is also the developer of Snapheal, Focus, Tonality, Intensify, Noiseless and FX Photo Studio.
- The ultimate 25 LUTs for Luminar, Aurora HDR, Photoshop, and more! The more you use these beautiful filters, the more uses you’ll find for them. Perfect to enhance.
- Luminar has a nice erase feature which is easy to use and you can send an HDR photo from Aurora to Luminar and back a long as you don't crop it beforehand. This is the where the buggy part comes in. If you do something inadvertently that is not documented then Aurora will crash on you.
Skylum (formerly Macphun) is a software developing company based in Bellevue, Washington. It is most known for its photo editing software Aurora HDR and Luminar.[1] Skylum is also the developer of Snapheal, Focus, Tonality, Intensify, Noiseless and FX Photo Studio.[2]
Founded as Macphun in 2008, the company decided to change its name to Skylum in 2017, following the decision to develop its Mac only software for Windows as well.[3]
History[edit]
Skylum was founded as Macphun in 2008 by two gaming developers and amateur photographers, Dmitry Sytnik and Paul Muzok. Initially the company developed applications for iOS. One of its first applications was Vintage Video Maker, which was later named Vintagio. In 2009, Apple named Vintagio among Best iPhone apps of the year.[4][5] Alex Tsepko, Ivan Kutanin & Oksana Milczarek joined the team few years later. In total, the company released over 60 applications in the first three years. However, it saw the greatest number of downloads in the photography applications. Skylum thus decided to develop the same photography applications for macOS.[6]
In early 2010, Skylum launched its first macOS application, FX Photo Studio Pro, which was earlier available for iOS only.[7] Several other applications were also developed for macOS including Snapheal.[8]
Luminar is an intuitive universal photo editing software. Digital editor gives you all the tools you need to retouch and modify your pictures - starting with simple adjustment and contrast. The Aurora HDR is the most complete and versatile digital photo editing software. Lumanair Aviation Services at the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, Illinois has provided flight training, fueling services, hangar & office space rental, aircraft sales, avionics, and aircraft parts & maintenance services to the aviation community in Northeastern Illinois.
In order to tap the North Americas, the company moved its headquarters to San Diego, United States in 2013.[6] A great number of employees came from the Nik Collection, which was earlier acquired by Google.[9] Later that year, the company launched Intensify, a fully featured photo editing software, that was named among 2013 Best Mac App Store apps. In 2014, Skylum launched Tonality, a black-and-white photo editor software, that won Apple’s Editors’ Choice of the year.[10] The same year, Skylum hired a team in Europe to develop localized versions of its software and start European expansion.[6]
In 2015, Skylum released a new image noise reduction application called Noiseless.[11] Same year Skylum partnered with Trey Ratcliff to develop an HDR program. Through the collaboration Aurora HDR, a High Dynamic Range editing and processing tool, was released in November.[12] A year later, Skylum developed Luminar, an all-in-one photo editing software as an alternative to Adobe’s Lightroom. Both the software became the most known applications by the company. [13]
In 2017, the company released Aurora HDR and Luminar for Windows - software that previously was available for macOS only.[14] At the same time, it was also announced that Macphun would change its name to Skylum.[15]
Products[edit]
Skylum is most known for its photo editing software, Aurora HDR launched in 2015, and Luminar launched in 2016. Other notable software by the company include: Snapheal, Focus, Tonality, Intensify, Noiseless, FX Photo Studio, and Photolemur.
Skylum products have been recognized with multiple awards. In 2019, Skylum took home four gold awards at the Digital Camera Grand Prix. The company was honored for innovation in the photo editing sphere with its Luminar 4, Aurora HDR 2019, and Photolemur[16] editing software. Skylum also took home a technical award for its innovative approach. In 2017 Luminar and in 2019 Luminar Flex was named the Best Software Plugin in the Lucie Technical Awards.[17] In the same years, Luminar was awarded the Best Imaging Software by TIPA. In 2018, Luminar was named an Editor’s Pick by Outdoor Photographer.[18]
References[edit]
- ^Thurston, Anthony (June 16, 2017). 'Macphun brings AI tech to photo editing with Luminar Neptune Skylum'.
- ^Pierini, David (May 24, 2017). 'Macphun to offer software for Windows-based photogs'.
- ^Scoblete, Greg (November 2, 2017). 'MACPHUN IS NOW SKYLUM, SETS SIGHTS ON DISAFFECTED LIGHTROOM USERS WITH LUMINAR 2018'.
- ^'iPhoneで撮った動画を8ミリやサイレント映画風にする「Vintage Video Maker」'. November 19, 2009.
- ^'MacPhun LLC Company Profile'(PDF). Retrieved February 24, 2018.
- ^ abcLaurinavicius, Tomas (November 21, 2016). 'An In-Depth Look At The Future Of Digital Photography With Alex Tsepko Of Macphun'.
- ^'Review: FX Photo Studio Pro for Mac, fun photo editing done right'. May 20, 2011.
- ^Chang, Alexandra (December 16, 2011). 'Snapheal removes unwanted objects from photos, and more'.>
- ^Freeman, Mike (November 29, 2013). 'Photo software firm Macphun comes to San Diego'.
- ^Dove, Jackie (July 31, 2014). 'Review: Macphun's Tonality brings out your inner Ansel Adams'.
- ^Carlson, Jeff (October 9, 2015). 'Noiseless and Noiseless Pro review: Clean up your photos shot in low-light conditions'.
- ^Mathies, Daven (May 24, 2017). 'Macphun's highly lauded photo software are coming to Windows for the first time'.
- ^Lawton, Rod (November 17, 2016). 'Both products became the most known applications by the company. MacPhun Luminar 1.0 review'.
- ^Lestoc, Costea (June 10, 2017). 'Macphun's Luminar and Aurora HDR apps come to Windows 10 this fall'.
- ^Zhang, Michael (October 27, 2017). 'Macphun Renaming Itself Skylum as its Photo Apps Land on Windows'.
- ^'Luminar 4, Aurora HDR 2019, and Photolemur'.
- ^'Lucie Technical Awards'.
- ^'Outdoor Photographer'. December 12, 2018.
Photography is becoming a trend nowadays not just for professional but for everyone. Now everyone has smartphones with high-resolution cameras so no further need of DSLR to shot a picture.
On the same pace, the demand for photography has risen than at any other time. So we have already written a tutorial for the best photography software to use for beginners and expert.
In this guide, we are going to explain the basic difference between Luminar 4 and Aurora HDR.
Since both of the products are from Skylum, so many buyers usually get confused between these two.
We are explaining both Luminar and Aurora HDR in easy language which really helps you to buy the most effective one as per your photography.
About Skylum
Rhinoceros for mac download. Not to forget, both this software is from Skylum which is one of the fastest-growing and leading photo editing software company.
Earlier it was named as Macphun and initially, there are different photography software launched. Now the company has its main focus on Luminar and Aurora HDR. Recently it included Photolemur to its store which is a well-known photo editor usually for drone photography.
Skylum software has been awarded as the best software for photography in rows. Currently, Skylum is available for Mac and Windows and soon they are launching their apps for the smartphone where you can easily edit your picture directly from your phone.
Now come to the main point Luminar vs Aurora HDR
Luminar 4 vs Aurora HDR 2021
Luminar 4
Luminar 4 is one of the top-rated photo editing software in terms of features, users experiences, pricing, and technology. It comes with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to boost your photography almost instantly.
There are different features available in the recent version that let you exaggerate your potential with AI in very less time.
Explore Skuylum Luminar
What Luminar 4 Offers
Artificial Intelligence
AI is the biggest reason why most of the photographers go with Luminar 4. It works amazingly and the results are awesome. Almost in every tool, there is AI which intelligently adds effects automatically.
If you use AI, just turn on the single toggle button to apply color, contrasts, brightness almost in no time.
Most of the tools such as Sky Enhancer, Skin Enhancer, Portrait Enhancer, Augmented tools, artificial sun rays, structure editing are embedded with Artificial Intelligence.
Fast Processing
Most often we encounter with slow processing when there are lots of tools in a single platform. But Luminar performance is much much better than we expected.
If you meet the compatibility requirements for both macOS and Windows then expectedly you won’t find any problem and everything works smoothly.
Suitable for all photography
Luminar works for all photography. Whether it is outdoors or indoors, portrait or landscape.
There are different landscape tools, color-contrasts editing tools which are suitable for almost every photography.
If you have a Luminar, most probably you don’t require any other photo editing software.
Photos collection
All your pictures are located in one single place. You can add them to different folders as per your collection.
You no longer need to import-export the photos from your system to Luminar interface. And also you can directly share your pictures to different social media platforms.
Perfect Workplace
In addition to multiple advanced tools, a recent version of Luminar gives you an amazing feel of its workspace. Everything is easy to navigate and clear layout for every tool helps you to easily access everything.
Instant professional filters
No matter what photography you are editing. There are dozens of presets are available for all categories of photography.
You get instant looks for Portraits, landscape, matte looks, and many others.
Let us take some features to better understand Skylum Luminar
Portrait Photography
Luminar has amazing tools when we go with portrait photography. Not to forget, in portrait photography it uses AI technology to improve face light, red-eye reduction, dark circle removal, face slim, lip color adjustment, eye enlargement, and other factors.
It shows quite impressive results in both indoor and outdoor portrait photography.
Content-aware technology
Now, with Content-aware technology, no one misses the true color of multiple objects in one single picture.
Just with a single click, it can all be done by itself.
With its advanced tools, it automatically detects the objects (including people and faces, clouds, water, buildings and more) and improves them to give you a perfect masterpiece.
The content-aware technology smarty identifies the human and do not over-process it and retain the natural skin.
Object Removal
Most of the photo editing tools do not include object removal tool but Luminar 4 does include this.
It intelligently removes the objects from the picture without leaving any halos, noise, and artefacts.
Detail Enhancer
Either you need a small detail enhancer or a large detail enhancer, you can easily slide the tool to enhance the details.
AI Accent tool
AI Accent tool is the combination of dozens of adjustment tool that instantly applied at your picture all with Artificial intelligence. You no longer required to edit picture manually.
This tool senses the picture and adjusts contrast, color, hue, texture, and much more.
So this is all about Luminar 4, now let us look into Aurora HDR for clear differentiations.
Aurora HDR 2021
Now comes to HDR photography, Aurora HDR is one of the best HDR photography software for this year.
For what purpose you must go for Aurora HDR?
You must be specific if you are looking to buy Aurora HDR. Basically, Aurora HDR is considered for dynamic range photography where there is a difference in contrast to low light and bright light.
When there are high contrast scenes, most of the normal photo editing software doesn’t seem to be effective. So we have to considered HDR software.
Aurora HDR is advanced software but you might have seen the HDR images on smartphones. iPhone and many other smartphones come with HDR technology to adjust the contrasts itself. Similarly, the software is the professional version.
How To Use Aurora Hdr
Explore Aurora HDR
How does it work?
To create HDR photos, you must need the same frame at different exposure of lights and then combining those images to create the final HDR image.
Suppose we have 3 different pictures of the same frame with different light exposure
Now when we merge all these images into HDR, the result would be like,
Check out the difference before and after combination.
Who should go with Aurora HDR?
If you are a bit above than the normal photography lover, HDR is really a nice choice. But the thing is, you must require some knowledge about the camera you are using.
You must know the different exposure, shutter speed to get multiple shots for a single image.
But if you are just having a single photograph and need to edit that one, the Luminar 4 is the best choice.
Is Aurora HDR better than Luminar?
This is hard to tell which is better, I must say, both are the best in their specific categories. You won’t find any better option than Luminar when looking for editing single picture or when bracketing images, no one is better than Aurora HDR.
You can initially start with the trial version of Aurora HDR and Luminar to better understand there working and usage. This is completely free to use for 14-days.
What do you get in Aurora HDR 2021?
There are many advanced tools and features available in all-new Aurora HDR. Let us look at some of them.
Quantum HDR Engine
Aurora HDR comes with Advanced Quantum HDR Engine powered by Artificial Intelligence. It gives the highest quality of bracket merging with an advanced level of color enhancement to the picture.
With Artificial Intelligence technology, it automatically adjusts the correct exposure of the image without leaving any halos, artefacts, and chromatic abrasion.
HDR editing tools
Tools make things much easier and similar is the case with HDR editing tools. There are more than 20+ tools to edit your HDR photography.
This gives you access to manually make the changes wherever you require. You can adjust the amount on HDR, Dodge & Burn, Polarizing filter, Mapping, Toning, and other such tools.
Professional editing
Apart from the basic HDR tools, which are more considered for basic level editing, there are also some of the professional editing tools for experts.
- Layer & Masking: Enjoy the freedom to create whatever you want with powerful layers, blending modes, masking and other features
- Batch Processing: For hundreds of images – one piece of software. With a powerful bulk processing engine, you produce many beautiful HDR photos at the same time.
- RAW Support: Aurora HDR gives your Raw photos the best treatment, supporting the most popular cameras and intelligently enhancing every pixel.
Aurora HDR works for both Windows & macOS and is used as standalone or Plugins to Apple Photos Extension, Adobe Photoshop plugin, Lightroom plugin.
So this is all about Aurora HDR vs Luminar. I hope this guide clears all your doubts and now you are at the place where you can easily decide which is better to choose for your photography.
There is also a special sale for Bundle pack (Aurora HDR + Luminar) for interested readers. For extra savings, you can use the Coupon – MADESTUFFEASY at the checkout page.
Luminar Aurora
Conclusion
Luminar And Aurora
Both Aurora HDR and Luminar are amazing software to make your photo to the next level. The only thing that make the difference is the choice of photography you are choosing.
Luminar Aurora Plugin
Just grab the free trial to test both the products. Once you got everything pick out the best one.